Santiago’s Sacred Struggle
Many know the story of Jesus of Nazareth and are able to confirm the historical figure whether they believe in him or not. The holy story can be divided and interpreted to explain Christ 's struggle, death and resurrection for the sake of mankind. Many see the modern-day allusion to Christ’s story in Ernest Hemingway 's The Old Man and the Sea. When compared side-by-side, these plot situations may help the reader see beyond the text on the page and visualize and comprehend the spiritual story easier. In Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and the Sea the protagonist Santiago can be seen as a Christ-like figure who struggles through his 40 days of trial, crucifixion’s pain to the hands, betrayal by his Judas, an unexpected bounty of food, necessary self-sacrifice, and the completion of Eucharist,
Santiago’s 84 days of trial began with 40 of them being with Manolin and then became another 44 days alone when the boy 's parents made him leave. Santiago is an elderly fisherman who has taught a young boy named Manolin since he was a boy, and now he has gone 84 days without catching a fish. The novella 's opening establishes the Santiago and Manolin devoted friendship but, “The boy had …show more content…
As he tries to nurse his cramped hand, Santiago sees a flock of wild ducks in the sky and realizes that no man is ever alone on the sea. He continues to try to uncramp his hand, and thinks of the cramp as “A treachery of one 's own body” (Hemingway 62). He says numerous times while holding the line that he wishes that Manolin were there to rub his hand for him and to be his strength. “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them” (Mev Mark 14:10). Santiago 's body betrays him, just as Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ. Yet Santiago does not despair. He derives strength from his connection to nature and from Manolin 's
Many know the story of Jesus of Nazareth and are able to confirm the historical figure whether they believe in him or not. The holy story can be divided and interpreted to explain Christ 's struggle, death and resurrection for the sake of mankind. Many see the modern-day allusion to Christ’s story in Ernest Hemingway 's The Old Man and the Sea. When compared side-by-side, these plot situations may help the reader see beyond the text on the page and visualize and comprehend the spiritual story easier. In Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and the Sea the protagonist Santiago can be seen as a Christ-like figure who struggles through his 40 days of trial, crucifixion’s pain to the hands, betrayal by his Judas, an unexpected bounty of food, necessary self-sacrifice, and the completion of Eucharist,
Santiago’s 84 days of trial began with 40 of them being with Manolin and then became another 44 days alone when the boy 's parents made him leave. Santiago is an elderly fisherman who has taught a young boy named Manolin since he was a boy, and now he has gone 84 days without catching a fish. The novella 's opening establishes the Santiago and Manolin devoted friendship but, “The boy had …show more content…
As he tries to nurse his cramped hand, Santiago sees a flock of wild ducks in the sky and realizes that no man is ever alone on the sea. He continues to try to uncramp his hand, and thinks of the cramp as “A treachery of one 's own body” (Hemingway 62). He says numerous times while holding the line that he wishes that Manolin were there to rub his hand for him and to be his strength. “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them” (Mev Mark 14:10). Santiago 's body betrays him, just as Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ. Yet Santiago does not despair. He derives strength from his connection to nature and from Manolin 's